In the planned NextGen aviation operations, it will be critical to ensure shared situational understanding and cooperative problem solving between aircrews and ATC (Air Traffic Controllers). A first step in predicting how future changes will impact flight crews and ATC is to examine the present system and to pinpoint problematic areas that may be ameliorated or exacerbated by advanced automation and heavier traffic density. Method: We coded ASRS (Aviation Safety Reporting System) reports identified as having communication conflicts between pilots and ATC. Results: Results describe types of conflict, operational context, phase of flight, operator states, and situations conducive to communication conflicts, risk perception differences and inappropriate resolution strategies. Limitations - Characteristics of the ASRS database guarantee that it is a rich source of data, but also impose inherent limitations with respect to generalization. Implications: This research will enable us to better predict NextGen aircrew/ATC communication breakdowns and conflicts resulting from specific situations and/or operator states.
